Deep in The Ocean

*Can something be horrific yet beautiful?

“Oceans cover two-thirds of the planet, yet remain largely unexplored. As of the year 2000, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimated that as much as 95%of the world’s oceans are unexplored.” — National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

“It’s a photo that I wish didn’t exist but now that it does I want everyone to see it”-Justin Hoffman, National Geographic Wildlife Photographer of the year, 2017

Amidst the layered beauty of the ocean lurks the ugly dark truth. This photo of a small estuary seahorse, (Hippocampus kuda) clutching a plastic earbud offers an allegory for our oceans today and tomorrow.

This hand-cut layered paper structure in the form of a shadow box celebrates the wonders of the ocean while reminding the viewer about the murky future of water pollution.